Browse Items (29 total)

The binding seen here is characteristic of the style of leather bindings where the calf leather is manipulated to give it texture. In this example, the leather is stained with drops of diluted acid to give the binding a mottled look. There are a…

This is a typical example of the decoration of binding using the technique of gilding. While generally ornamental decorations were applied by means of gilding irons and rolls onto the spine, here we have a something of a portrait, a personification…

This is likely a 20th century rebinding of a work stemming from 500 years earlier. This binding most likely dates to the first half of the 20th century and is stamped “e stato rilegato da Campari e De Marco, Modena”: the book has been bound by…

The binding of this work has been elaborately blind-stamped with a number of decorative tools. Note the manuscript waste visible at the top of the spine; again, materials were reused wherever possible to add in the binding process, especially in…

Here we see the remnants of the leather straps that would have served to keep the book closed. More often than not, these fragile closures have not stood the test of time.

This binding in blonde calfskin, with hand-tooled motifs generated by many decorative finishing tools, is an example of “fanfare” binding. A “frame” is generated by a series of straight lines tooled into the leather, while the covers are completely…

This binding is a geometric juxtaposition of blue and red morocco leathers with a centerpiece, also sporting tooled decoration in gilt, in white parchment. The binding is signed by G. Samucewicz, and although one sees mention of the binder in various…

This speckled calf binding is created using a technique of depositing fine drops of acid on the binding’s leather to achieve the visual effect. A late 19th or early 20th century rebinding, this binding is executed in the “Cambridge” style. Very…

This collection of poetry from Québec poet, musician and actor Michel Garneau, is printed on loose leaves of paper and illustrated by Maureen Maxwell. All is housed in a leather “case” of a mosaic design, executed by artist Lise Rodrigue. This is…

This exquisite binding in red morocco is a modern binding, probably dating to 350-400 years after the book was initially printed. Tooled and stamped in gilt, with elaborately gilded edges, this was a binding executed for someone with a love of luxury…